Short Story Collection

The Journier - Oct 31 2021 version

Have you ever flown on an airplane before?

No

Have you ever left this city?

No

Do you not feel the urge to—see the world? Have new experiences?

...

Goodbye

...

There were so many signs for various businesses it was hard to focus one's attention. Paint jobs from years long past had been peeling off. Most windows were barred. Broken glass however was still abundant. Nevertheless, many people could be seen lined up along Portage, presumably outside the community kitchen. Tents planted onto crumbling parking lots. People were standing around waiting (not for the kitchen), talking, smoking, laughing. Perhaps, since it was a Sunday, they were waiting for the car show, as down the street other people could be seen with foldable chairs and high saturated fat foods in hand (Which clogs your blood vessels increasing chances of heart attacks, blood pressure, maybe diabetes too).

The street was pleasant, at least, from where I stood. Even though I did not necessarily have any interest in the cars, nor the high saturated fats, nor much of the particularities. Yet how romantic would it be, existing as a footnote on this idyllic street...

That was not possible of course. Once, on a night out with friends following a successful interview... We came to a consensus that about half of one's life was spent working, so if instead one was to overload either the first or latter half of your life, you were much freer in the other half. Since it was somewhat hard to choose a half (many pros and cons to consider), we settled with working twice as hard one year, to not work the next. It was an

(Loud sounds of cars)

There was cheering as it began. They were very colourful, freshly washed so that the sun's reflection was blinding. Very loud modified engines. Some were accompanied in their cars with very pretty women that seemed to have been cut and pasted from a social media feed. They sped past, probably much faster than the posted speed limit, yet at the same time somehow seemed to linger in the attention of the expecting (and unexpecting) citizens.

Honda Civic owners are such cocksuckers, you're so lucky we stopped you

Yeah I was clueless back then

(My parents own a Honda Civic, albeit a 2007 model)

I've been looking for a Subaru, but fuck it's hard to find a good deal and shit. Also my mom's pressuring me to buy a new car instead

Wait what the fuck, why

I don't know, I feel like it's cuz she thinks she fucking knows everything, or wants to make it seem that way or some shit. Like the moment you drive that car out the lot, the value drops. A lot

I mean when buying a used you don't know if it's fucked or not

Yeah, I guess. The van my parents bought from a friend, the music player doesn't work. Also I think the A/C as well

Remember the car my dad gave me? The fucking wheel fell off the other day

What? While driving?

Yeah had to get it tolled and shit. 300. Plus I need to repair it too now

(The revving of motorcycles)

Yo these dudes just gliding between the cars and shit—bro there're so many of them.

Yeah, the motorcyclists ride every Sunday as well in their big ass group, like they just don't care

It's kinda lame, fucking rednecks